Author's Notes: Hiya! This may be the last chapter I'll post so far, unless I can finish any more in the following days :3 I wonder if I ever mentioned that I have a very erratic updating schedule. So sorry!

Please note that the cultivating level is made up since no actual level classification or system was introduced in GDC. I had to look at other xianxia works for a term haha

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Chapter 04

The Sending

Yu ZiYuan felt her face collide with a bit of force against the body underneath her when they were slammed back on the earth after being slightly elevated an inch off the ground. Feeling her eyes slightly glaze in physiological response from the smarting of her straight nose, she pressed her hand on her face and lifted her head up with a scowl only to find herself in too close a proximity with the current Young Master Jiang, blue-grey eyes widened at the realization they both came to at the same time.

She jerked away from the warmth of the young man and internally ordered herself not to flush which was traitorously ignored as she perceived the burn of her cheeks. She turned herself away from the three lying figures on the ground and found herself in a sizeable clearing with a dozen or so cultivators also either flat on the ground or were thrown off their feet and into their backside and then she remembered what happened with the creature they just slayed.

She looked behind her but all she could see is a flat plain of greenery that extended indefinitely which afforded her the sight of the orange and azure sky of dusk. On her left was an unbelievable sight of the sea illuminated by the still just setting sun. She held her breath at the stunning vision of the cliff they're in stretching from miles and miles but dread crept up her spine at the understanding that they're far, too far, away from home. She has never visited every nook and cranny of China but she knows that it was just a little pass midnight when they battled the creature and now different skies enveloped them.

"What in blazes just happened?!" Nie Ju-Long groaned as he straightened from his sitting position on the ground. Seeing the place they landed in, he felt his jaw drop, "What the fuck?! Where the hell are we?!"

"We have been transported." Wen Ruohan clenched his fist and slammed his fist on the ground, "What a farce! Wasn't that creature dead, yet?!"

"It was a dying spell."

"If we're lucky, we're just half-way across the world! Otherwise, we might as well be in a sphere between the living and the dead!"

As a bubble of arguments and discourse of what just happened started like pattering rain everywhere, frustration made Yu ZiYuan's insides squirm and she gritted her teeth at the lost despite clearly eliminating their foe. When she spotted uniforms of white and blue at the corner of her eyes, the anger she felt resurfaced and she freely glared at the unbending form of Lan Qiren who was also observing the place with deep contemplation. She walked towards their direction with natural grace and steadfast dignity but many felt shivers run up their spine when they saw the beautiful lady's unforgiving countenance; her light robes, miraculously escaping total ruin save for a few minor grass stains despite the activities of the night, flowing alluringly around her; the long silky hair, unfettered by the silver butterfly pin on top, free and gliding as one with the blowing wind; her creamy skin tainted by the faint glow of eventide.

Seeing her approach, Lan Qiyue promptly lowered his upper body in a respectful salute, "Please forgive us, Maiden Yu, we had only wished to uphold the rules of our sect." knowing that their adamant desire to maintain the sect rules resulted in this situation, dragging dozens with them. In the end, it was others who defeated the beast. He could only admit their fault and repent.

But the stellar maiden, with a frigid face like jade still head-on barreled against the quietly standing figure of Lan Qiren to whom her rage was concentrated on and grabbed a fistful of white clothes, "I'M SURE THAT THERE'S NOTHING IN YOUR 3 THOUSAND RULES THAT SAYS TO BE A MORON AND ENDANGER A DOZEN OR SO FOR YOUR PRIDE!" She shrieked at the bewildered man before pushing him aside, Zidian crackling with violet sparks around her finger. She calmed her breathing and thought of a way to get back.

She felt something hit her leg and looked down to see the young boy hugging her leg once more. Fresh tears streaming down his plump cheeks and she felt even more horrible. Could it be that her interference just made things worse? There was no mention of the group who battled the Black Dragon Python ever ending up in this situation. Maybe this boy would have been better off if she never found him. Upon further inspection, all 22 cultivators were spirited away with them, most of them Lans and Wens who followed their young lords into battle but she was glad to note that her best friend was not caught up in the array since she's not here. Unfortunately, she has to suffer the moronic face of one Jin GuanShan who's still shock into muteness as bulging eyes looked around him.

She then reluctantly casted her gaze on the only other woman in the place and addressed her, "Lady Sanren, if I may." she started in an even voice, grey eyes instantly clashing with her, "Do you per chance know of any transportation arrays?"

Cangse Sanren has a doubtful face as she replied slowly, "I do know of one but I'm afraid I don't have enough spiritual power to activate it, not even when I'm fully rested. Only those of True Foundation level or higher can possibly have enough qi and the right kind to do it." which means that even if they all pour in qi, they wouldn't be able to manage it since it requires a certain level of cultivation – the quality of qi is essential.

I meet that condition, she mused, relaxing, "Make it, I can activate the array." There was no entreaty in her tone, after all, they will all benefit from this.

"Ehh? Yuan-er, you reached True Foundation level?" the Nie heir probed in incredulity, "Last time you were a level below that." And here I thought I managed to catch up already!

The murmurs focused itself around her once again and

I'm actually a level above it now, she wondered if it's the positive effects of breaking her heart, no matter.

But then Nie Ju-Long frowned in concern, "Are you sure? Even if you're at True Foundation level, you still used that big move earlier; your spiritual power must have been greatly depleted."

At this Third Lady Yu only smiled briefly in answer before directing her question to the rouge cultivator.

"Can you do it?"

Cangse Sanren nodded in a daze, "Lady Yu is truly amazing." she praised with amazement, she can't activate the spell herself, yet, and only learned it out of interest, she didn't think that there will be someone in her generation who could do it! "I'll need to rest for a few but I believe I can make it."

True talent, Yu ZiYuan thought. Giving a short bow of thanks to the woman, not acknowledging the praise she was given, the Third Lady moved away to inquire about the status of the three Meishan Yu sect disciples that were caught up with her and set out to work on cleaning up injuries when she saw their state. She would have liked to ignore the rest but seeing that some were in a more battered state than others, a familiar voice intruded in her mind.

'To save when it's within our means should be a rule we all follow. It should never be a question of 'should I?'.'

You should have gone to the Lans, you monk, she mocked in retaliation as she examined some of the other cultivators to their surprise and delight. She had to render Jin GuanShan unconscious since he was starting to hyperventilate in alarm and it was annoying her. She wanted to ignore all the Wen disciple involved but some of them were even younger than her son and one was bleeding profusely. Fortunately, Wen Ruohan was unharmed. It'll be the greatest insult if she has to treat him as well. She grudgingly set out to work, but if her hands were lacking in gentleness or uncaring if she pressed a little too hard, none complained. She handed out an elixir to the bleeding young man she just patched up just in case there was poison in the bite when she heard a conversation a little ways behind her.

"Young Master! You're wounded!"

"It's merely a scratch, I just need to clean it to make sure it won't get infected. Don't fret."

"Oh, young lord, Mister Wei! I have a cloth here but honestly I cannot remember what it was before. But it seems clean enough, want to use it?" came Cangse Sanren's jovial voice from a few feet away but Wei Changze politely refused her and continued to look for a suitable cloth to use on his master.

Yu ZiYuan sighed and straightened from where she just finished making the Wen disciple swallow the bitter medicine with petty satisfaction and went to the duo of master and servant of the Jiang Clan. She held out her silk handkerchief that she embroidered on, "Here Young Master Jiang, it's mine, but if you don't disdain it, please use it."

Wei Changze looked at it once before thanking her respectfully. She proceeded to put in medicinal alcohol on it from her full qiankun pouch and carefully dabbed it on the abrasion on her previous husband's temple to clean it.

"Please, there's no need for you to go through the trouble." Jiang FengMian softly said to the woman in front of him, he could feel his heart's uncomfortable sprint inside him and was afraid she might hear it.

"Don't be a fool, you wouldn't even know if it's already clean enough." She carelessly returned, clueless to the other's dilemma.

After a few more wipes though, she realized that he might simply want someone else to do it for him. "Forgive me for being forward. Here." She paused and gave him the damp cloth, making sure not to touch the warm skin of his hands.

Not hearing the thanks, she immediately moved away. She just finished the last of the lined up patients when a wail of a child reached her and was rammed by a little body and the short boy, A-Song his name she learned, once again held on to her.

"Oh, little boy! I'm sorry, big sister didn't mean it!" The pretty grey-eyed lady shouted apologetically, throwing the large lizard in the opposite direction, "It was just a joke! Look, it's no longer here!"

Yu ZiYuan could feel the swelling vein on her nape throb in irritation, one after the other, honestly! At length, she easily carried A-Song and wiped his tears and gave him water, "Why must you cry at the drop of a hat?" she noticed the tired look of the child and understood that he was just really tired. No surprises there, he was chased by ghosts, nearly attacked by a giant snake and now transported to gods-know-where. In retrospect, he's been quite astute to only cry at the sight of a lizard.

Reminiscing how she often has to carry her A-Cheng when he's sulky or moody from sleepiness, she decided to walk away with her charge. She didn't forget to let Nie Ju-Long know that she'll be taking a walk and the man put an arm around her shoulder, oblivious of a number of sharp stares at the antic, "Don't go too far, I've asked my juniors to gather firewood. It'll be really dark soon." to which the female cultivator just nodded, not minding the skin-ship from the tactile man.

She passed by Wen Ruohan and seeing that she plans to move quite the distance, he told her, "Do not stray, we know not what lurks in here."

"Thanking Young Master Wen, but we all know I'm capable of protecting myself." She rebuffed with little emotion, unaware of the talisman that was attached to her.

"Don't worry, Young Master Wen." Nie Ju-Long assured the young man who's still gazing with a contemplative frown at the slender young lady, now in a distance, "I've affixed a sound-transmitting talisman on her. We'll know if something happens." And anyway, there's no obstacle to their view of the ambling female cultivator.

The fire was started and the ridiculously large group gathered around it, there were murmurs of trifling talks here and there as they waited for Cangse Sanren to finish the array she's in the process of making with Wei Changze volunteering to shed light as she work.

It was just a few minutes in when they heard a song playing somewhere and they turned their heads to one Nie Ju-Long who took out a small dial where he had fastened a sound-transmitting talisman.

He seemed surprised himself, "She's singing." he said to himself simply. At these words, several heads whirled to watch the Third Lady Yu far away. She could be seen cradling the child's head against her neck and tenderly patting his back, apparently lulling the boy to sleep. The melody coming from the dial was sweet and pleasing, not incredibly soft, true, but the velvet-like quality was haunting and warm.

When she returned to the gathering with A-Song peacefully asleep in her embrace, Yu ZiYuan couldn't understand the shy and timid glances she's getting from various men. And it might just be the bonfire, but she thought a lot of them have heightened complexions. She frowned in curiosity but didn't care enough to ask.

Half an hour later, Cangse Sanren cried out in triumph and Yu ZiYuan carefully gave the slumbering boy to one of her sect members and inspected the finished product on the ground. She resisted the urge to gasp at the large array beautifully drawn by skillful hands. It was obviously complicated and detailed but everything appears to be in order.

She clenched a handful of silk and couldn't help the grudging respect for the wonderful work of the woman before her. You're really…

Not wanting to prolong the encounter, she asked the cultivators, who were also admiring the work in front of them, to ready themselves as she will activate it soon. She had a passing notion to just leave Jin GuanShan behind. Fortunately or unfortunately, someone remembered to carry him along.

She drew a deep breath as she channeled her spiritual energy on the array. She became sure that it's working when the array itself automatically consumed her qi to work as it slowly lit up, she knows that the amount is far more than she's comfortable in expelling especially in her already tired state but she let it all flow out of her, feeling the agonizing heat in her core. Once the whole array lighted up, she shouted for the rest to jump in and she did the same, glad that the surge of spiritual energy was finally cut and she wasn't left completely dry.

Opening her eyes after the bright light from behind her lids went away, she found herself together with all 22 cultivators and a child in front of the Lanling Jin Sect's Carp Tower. As expected of her, she would take everything into account, was her thought but suddenly the ground felt unstable beneath her and before she knows it, she was falling backwards. Wha—?

She wasn't sure if anyone caught her, it felt as though several arms were around her and there was a lot of yelling somewhere. She wanted to shout at them to be quiet but her head felt heavy and when the darkness claimed her, she didn't resist.

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"How is she?" Nie Ju-Long asked Jinzhu as he strode inside the spacious guest room in the Lanling Jin sect for the 2nd time that day. In his hands was a basket of loquats that his servant insisted on him bringing out of propriety. With the way this is going, the Third Lady Yu's guest room would be overflowing with baskets of fruits before the week is over.

"Still the same." the maid politely answered, her eyes downcast in concern for her mistress.

"Hmmm." The young master hummed in return, eyebrows crumpling over sharp eyes. When he saw the other guests waiting on the slumbering maiden, he was no longer surprised, "Young Master Jiang, Young Master Lan, Lady Sanren, you're also here." He said in greeting, "Earlier, it was Young Master Wen, Young Master Bai and Maiden Hou, are you all taking rotations?" He's sure that at one point or another, the Second Young Master Fang, Young Master Choi, Young Master Yao and Third Young Master Li also came when they were not even part of the group who got caught up in that blasted array a few days before.

After the salutations, Jiang FengMian replied with a smile from his seat a few feet away from the bed, "Seeing as Young Master Nie is so diligent in visiting, we can't very well be neglectful."

Nie Ju-Long only snorted at this. Normally, visiting the bedroom of an unmarried woman while she's unconscious wouldn't even be allowed.

When Yu ZiYuan suddenly collapsed upon their return to the Lanling Jin Sect, there was pandemonium and he can't tell who was roaring louder – Wen Ruohan, Jiang FengMian, or himself as they all tried to lift the young lady after catching her fall, her slim body burning with a fever.

After the doctor was summoned and was drilled over her condition, they found that she was nearly emptied of her spiritual power after activating an array of great magnitude when she was already exhausted from fighting. Thankfully, she pulled through with nearly no drastic side-effect save for a weakened constitution. They were all assured that she shall be good as new after a good rest and it didn't even damage her core or any of her dantian due to her advancement in cultivation but it was a close call.

They were all relieved upon hearing this but this was short-lived when her fever reached a dangerous degree. Jiang FengMian dragged the doctor back and he thought the old man would be chocked to death by Wen Ruohan and a few other young lords. Unsatisfied, Young Master Jiang ordered his closest servant to call on Master Wen who is known for being the best physician in the cultivation world, asking for his assistance.

After persisting a lot and finally ignoring protocol, Wen Ruohan strode inside of the bedroom despite protests from the lady's trustworthy maids. He allowed it since he was worried himself and it was apparent that Young Master Jiang was of the same opinion as he also didn't stop the other man from breaking propriety despite his frown. Eventually, it was given permission by Madame Yu for as long as her maids are in the same room. In addition, Maiden Hou and, strangely enough, Lady Sanren, made sure to stay with the patient for as long as someone was waiting on her.

Under Master Wen's care, who readily answered the call since it's about his own pupil, the fever broke after two days. However, the lady remained insensible. The good doctor repeated again and again that it's because Yu ZiYuan is trying to regain back the qi she lost through rest.

It's already the fourth day since she collapsed.

During that time, many people visited her and brought her gifts and well-wishes. Lan Qiren would often stiffly come and play a relaxing song with his guqin for an hour before going away without so much as a word out.

Some even volunteered to transfer qi to aid her but as she has a higher level of cultivation, there's not much they can do for her. Her own parents and master were the one who occasionally pass her spiritual energy. He scowled as he pressed the back of two fingers on her soft cheek for a moment, heedless of the watchful eyes on him. "This is why I tell her she's reckless."

"She only did what only she could have possibly accomplished at that time." quietly defended Cangse Sanren, understanding the frustration in his tone but respecting their benefactor's decision.

Remembering something after looking at the rouge cultivator, Nie Ju-Long questioned with a hint of a laugh, "I heard of what happened with Second Young Master Lan, Lady Sanren. But is it really true that you were the one who shaved his beard?"

At the inquiry, Cangse Sanren just raised her chin in stubborn defiance, unconcerned that the older brother of her victim sits in the same room with her, "I only did that out of righteous indignation. Maiden Yu and I did our best but he still won't utter a word of apology! And while he comes here to play his guqin as though in penitence, that he still won't admit his fault verbally is very vexing."

The Lan Heir raised both of his hands in a small salute, "Please excuse my brother, Lady Sanren. I'm sure that he was only looking for the right time to convey his apologies himself. As you have acquired a small form of revenge, might it tide you until he's ready to express himself." The distinguished gentleman humbly entreated despite the actions taken against his younger brother, "Please do not be in doubt of the magnitude of our gratitude and remorse. We could only return safely thanks to Maiden Yu's efforts together with Lady Sanren, after all." commented Lan Qiyue with a calm sip of tea, putting it down he added, "But I'm glad that we can all settle down knowing that Maiden Yu is no longer in any danger."

Replacing his scrutiny on the peacefully sleeping maiden, Nie Ju-Long got to agree with them. She looks good. Actually, she looks really pretty. With the distant cold look finally gone from her jade-like face, one was able to see the natural delicate features of long, thick lashes, willowy eyebrows, rosy cheeks, plump pink lips and unblemished porcelain skin. She didn't stir in her inanimate state, not a snore or groan. She's truly a sleeping beauty and one could only think to create a story or a poem about it.

He amused himself of what her reaction would be once she learned that more than a dozen gentlemen took the chance to see her vulnerable expression in sleep. Madame Yu must have been confident that it would not ruin her daughter's reputation by any embarrassing display and she was right. By what he observed, her popularity has only increased from recent events, everywhere he goes, talks of her womanly charm, maternal side and valiant efforts could be heard. Moony and glittering eyes occupied several young lords at the thought of her.

What a sinful woman. He internally teased and was thankful that he sees her as a younger sister otherwise, it'll be difficult for him. As it is, he'll certainly be entertained by the show that will no doubt come.

Until the mayhem commences, "Rest well, little sister."

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Even with the heavy darkness surrounding her, there was no trepidation in her heart. After gods-know how long, the setting change to one she's excruciatingly familiar with, and something she hasn't seen in a long time.

Lotus Pier.

There is a gentle hum in the air as though gravity can't hold anything down, maybe because it's a mere vision. She knows it's all a dream. Or maybe an illusion. She has never deluded herself where her reality lies, no matter her feelings about it is.

Following the childish squeals and high-pitch barks, she found herself in her courtyard in the sect, her son playing with 3 enthusiastic puppies while her daughter is diligently practicing how to make her favorite tea. At the sight of the children whose faces she still desperately tries to retain in her mind to this day even knowing that they'll never come to her again, she at last felt the tightening of her chest as she numbly looked on. She wanted to go nearer the laughing little boy but the mirage will allow her to go no further, setting a clear boundary of where she lies now. Her own figure in the specter was sitting like an expensive statue, refined and grand but while she has the slight air of indulgence, her eyes betrayed a bit of discontent.

How had her life turn out like this?

'My Lady.'

She closed her eyes, no longer taken aback at just who stands behind her. She turned around to just in time to see the image of his husband from her last life slightly shrink to the frame of his current self.

'Maiden Yu.'

And now, his grown up self is not the only phantom that torments her. Sometimes, just like this, she would have dreams of him as he is now, with his youthful smile and still calm eyes.

No matter the time, you never fail to bother me.

The young man just looked on as though he's satisfied with the encounter as simple as it is and her fingers itched to touch him somehow. If it's here, she could forgive that much. She reached out a hand to touch a pale cheek and was rewarded with him taking that hand into his own and firmly holding on.

'Maiden Yu.'

He said once more but she crumpled her brows, why does he sound so concerned? The warmth around her hand feels all too real. The stillness encircling her suddenly twisted into a whirl of images she can't make sense of.

Sometimes she thought she saw a red and white sleeve, other times, she would think it was purple ones or a black one with gold linings. There was a warm touch from a big, calloused hand on her smooth fevered forehead, or a gentle touch on her cheek. She would hear murmurs of conversations or the sound of a guqin.

"How is she? She's still feverish?"

"Maiden Yu, can you hear me?"

"Yuan-er, that's why I said…"

"What did the doctor…."

"Please let her know that…"

"A-Yuan, please…"

"I brought this today, kindly…"

"Has she…"

"Maiden Yu, get well soon…."

"Yuan-er, it's been…"

"She's still unconscious?"

"Lady Yu, I'm here again!"

"Maiden Yu…"

After what felt like a long dream, red-violet eyes opened blearily and she blinked for a few minutes before groaning mutedly. She slowly helped raised herself on her left elbow and gently carded soft hair with her fingers to push it away from her face. She could clearly see the streaming light in her bed and she doesn't understand why her maids partially opened her bed curtains when she has never ordered them to. And why is she wearing heavy brocade to sleep? Why had her maids not prepare proper sleeping robes for her? What happened? She turned her head to call for Jinzhu and Yinzhu and wine orbs widened at the sight before her. She doesn't know if it's a mere image since all individuals in the room also froze when they saw her move but she believes she's seeing her hus—Jiang FengMian, Wei Changze, Lan Qiren, Lan Qiyue, Wen Ruohan, Bai Huiqing, Yao Xun, Nie Ju-Long, Cangse Sanren and her friend, Hou MeiXiu casually sipping tea in her bedroom with Jinzhu and Yinzhu calmly serving them with other servants. She tilted her head in confusion. There's no way this is happening. It doesn't make sense. She blinked once then twice, slowly. She still can't understand it. Huh.

Hou MeiXiu recovered first and went to her, hugging her tightly, "A-Yuan! This girl! Honestly! You'll make me go insane with worry!" She is going to throw a fit, she resignedly mused.

Yu ZiYuan frowned and it seems that the others took that as a cue to quietly leave her room after giving her a brief, stiff nod. That is, everyone except for Nie Ju-Long who boisterously came near her bed despite the burning gaze of several pairs of eyes and ruffled her hair, "Next time, you listen to people's warning! I'll be going now but it's nice to see you awake, finally!" The rough hand gave her another brush before walking out the door. How strange. That felt real.

As the unbelievable truth finally dawned on her, Yinzhu and Jinzhu bowed with their foreheads on the floor, silently asking for forgiveness. "WHAT ON EARTH?!" she yelled.

"Mistress please calm yourself!" her two maids chorused in ready submission.

"Now, now, don't be angry A-Yuan!" chanted Hou MeiXiu, seeing the steadily reddening skin, she continued, "Before anything else, I would like you to know that we had your mother's permission. So please listen before you start whipping anyone!"

Hearing that her mother knew of this, Yu ZiYuan settled long enough to hear the story from the amused young lady.

That explained why she's not wearing thin robes but it didn't stop the mortification she felt creeping up her spine and making a home in her stomach.

"For how long?" she asked rigidly.

"Oh? Only for four days." composedly assured the First Lady of YunXiao Sect, fighting the laugh that clogged her throat.

"Four days!" she nearly roared, her bedroom was open to visitors for that long! Damn you Wen Ruohan!

Lady Hou gripped both shoulders as the newly awoken maiden attempted to rise with murder in her eyes, "Only for 5 hours a day! It wasn't that much!"

"Then how many came to see me? 5? 3?" she persisted with a scowl.

"Umm, maybe 3 to 4, sometimes about 9?" she answered with a show of uncertainty, hoping the other won't be so detailed.

"So only about a dozen people ever came," she sighed in relief. That's acceptable enough. When the smile on the other became tight, she narrowed her eyes, "What?"

"Umm, that's only the count per hour? And you have different visitors each hour?" Light brown eyes averted hers and Yu ZiYuan became downright suspicious, "Oh, were you asking about the total number of individuals who ever came to see you? Ah, you might need to give me a bit more time to calculate." she finished in an uncharacteristically small voice, as though hoping the she won't hear.

She froze. This is ridiculous! "Why?"

At this unadulterated confusion, it was Hou MeiXiu's turn to scowl, "Seriously, A-Yuan! Are you asking me that?" she was disbelieving. She can see her best friend's genuine imperception of her own appeal and it's making her tear her hair out! "I'm only your best friend but people are asking me if you made mention of going to the Maiden Pavilion Banquet. Yes, that's right. They were asking me. And it doesn't even look like they'll be waiting that long to make their offers."

"Wha—what are you even saying?! You're not making any sense!" She was the Madame Yu, the Violet Spider, no one has ever looked at her with any other sentiments aside from fear and it suited her just fine!

Hou MeiXiu sighed in resignation. Hopeless woman.

"Anyway, Madame Yu ordered you to rest while you stay here. Master Wen was saying that tension accumulated all around your meridians. And I know how hard-working you are A-Yuan but you need substantial rest."

At this command from her mother, Yu ZiYuan became silent. She admits that after returning to the past, she never allowed herself to rest. To be idle is to remember every harrowing detail of her death and incompetence. It is to miss the children she failed and long to touch and the husband she silently cared for. It is to regret what she can never get back. And that was unacceptable.

"A-Yuan?" her best friend prodded with a curious look.

"I shall rest. Let my mother know that I'll be in seclusion for eternity." She deadpanned at the reminder that she was seen at her most vulnerable state by at least two dozen people. And by Jiang FengMian too, of all people!

"Now, now, don't be like that, A-Yuan." Hou MeiXiu slightly laughed, "How about we go to the garden instead?"

She narrowed her eyes and barely stopped the urge to pinch the other's cheeks before expelling a short sigh carrying her exasperation and embarrassment, "Very well."

Finally left alone to clean up, Yu ZiYuan was helped to a relaxing bath and a light meal. After her maids help her into a soft set of satin robes in shades of light blue and Jinzhu began to put her long hair up, the young woman seemed to recall a concern and promptly started, "Mistress, I would like to inquire about the pin you used that night. I'm afraid I was unable to find it again. I was sure you still had it when they brought you in."

Yu ZiYuan frowned, trying to recall the exact ornament and when the intricate butterfly pin came to mind, she then tried to remember if she lost it at any time during that night at Bai Lu Mountain. Not really caring much, she gave up afterwards and merely shrugged, "I also don't know where it is."

She saw the youthful maid bow her head once, "Please forgive me for my incompetence, Mistress. I shall search for it again."

Not wanting the other to stress about unnecessary things, Yu ZiYuan merely concluded, "I'm sure it just got lost in the mayhem. Don't trouble yourself over it." After all, it's not as if he gave it to her. Suddenly remembering a certain jewelry box back in Lotus Pier that undoubtedly got devoured by the merciless flame of the abominable Wens, she frowned but dismissed it.

After getting more details about the previous days and a confirmation that the boy she took care of, A-Song, got back safely to his family who were crying in relief and conveyed their gratitude to her, she let her shoulder relax imperceptibly at knowing the boy is safely home.

Exiting the guest room, a servant met them and was directed at a garden with a huge man-made lake with water lilies and lotus flowers. A nice, long wooden walkway cut across the lake and led to an open air pavilion where Hou MeiXiu is currently sitting, waiting for her with tea and various refreshments.

MeiXiu looked up from her guqin practice and gave her friend a small smile. "I was given leave to use this garden whenever I visit. Coincidentally, it's near the practice field, as though someone's hoping I'll accidentally see someone hard at work in training. I don't think they know their son doesn't really practice so there's nothing for me to see."

Yu ZiYuan shared the disdainful smirk on the other young lady's lips. Forgoing the insults she'd like to say about her friend's betrothed, she instead commented, "They really like you for a daughter-in-law."

"Well, no one else in their right mind would marry that man. And they need my family's wealth to add to their own."

The YunXiao Sect, while not the most prominent in the cultivation world, is certainly one of the wealthiest since they own the biggest mine of spiritual ores used to make spiritual weapons.

Red-violet eyes held clear brown ones as the Third Lady earnestly question her friend, "With the way he's going, he might father a horde of bastards in the future. Knowing this, you still want to go through this union?"

"A horde of bastards might be exaggerating it, A-Yuan." MeiXiu amusedly replied and Yu ZiYuan didn't know how to say that no, she's very sure that lascivious man would most certainly spread his seeds everywhere. "This marriage will benefit us both. I just have to tighten the leash after the third bow."

"And if that doesn't help?"

A cold smile crept up the young lady's haughty countenance, "My son will be the heir to this sect. No one else." She then focused on the horizon, "If he must be the shame of his family then so be it, for as long as he doesn't ruin this cultivation sect before it can be passed on to my son."

It's really not her place to remark to strongly about her friend's marital decision so Yu ZiYuan merely hummed, taking a sip of jasmine tea. When the First Lady of YunXiao Sect replaced her gaze back to her, genuine warmth could be found there, "Since I cannot hope for romance, I wish that you will fare better than I do, A-Yuan."

A purple-clad image immediately appeared before her and she stared as the smiling man transformed to his younger self whom she just saw earlier. "I don't think I'll have any more luck than you, A-Xiu." She said evenly as she peered into calm blue-grey eyes.

"Nonsense!" readily countered the other with confidence, "The problem you'll have is who to choose and how to handle disappointed admirers."

Yu ZiYuan frowned, the phantom in front of her eyes dissipating in the air. Somehow thinking that the seriousness in the conversation was just hurled out of the window, she scoffed freely, "Be serious."

"But I am."

"You—" the retort in her throat died at the teasing glow in the other's eyes and she just shook her head, "Continue your practice."

Hou MeiXiu chuckled, carelessly plucking the strings a few times before stopping again, "Give me a break, this is such a sad song, it doesn't do much by ways of entertainment."

Yu ZiYuan put down the tea cup she just drank on before picking up the music sheet, "This song is not meant for amusement after all. The priestesses in Tianyi Sect use this song for sending the souls of the dead to the afterlife."

"Oh, that secluded sect huh?" the green-robed lady nodded her head in understanding, "They have a unique way of exorcising spirits. They said the dance prevents the soul from turning feral right?"

A faraway look befell the elegant woman as she again hummed in answer.

The daughter of YunXiao Sect saw this and guessed, "You know how to do a ceremonial dance, don't you, A-Yuan?"

Yu ZiYuan jolted at the accuracy but automatically shook her head without pause.

"Don't give me that." The other prodded determinedly, "The past two years, I know you've practiced embroidery and music on top of medicine and your training. The Sending Ceremony is not a mere dance, my guts tell me that you studied even that."

Yu ZiYuan wished that her friend wouldn't be so astute about such a trivial thing like this as well. She's really not wrong. In a world where she alone has experienced and remembers the pain and helplessness of the future, the stress and solitude this gave her caused her to focus her attention in various forms of art to express herself, especially when her usual outlet of screaming in rage was denied her.

Dancing is not part of the education a young lady from a prominent family should have. So of course, she never learned before. However she had seen once or twice, ceremonial dances conducted by priestesses to send spirits in a smooth journey to the afterlife. Thinking about the disciples they had lost on that siege, even knowing that it could hardly make a difference in this time and from her, there was a time when she wanted to mourn them the way they deserve and therefore came up with a certain arrangement derived from the ceremony performed in Tianyi Sect.

She was loathed to admit to anything. It was something she practiced maybe three or five times after completing the steps in the last 2 years in utmost secrecy. Only her maids ever saw her do it. But she should have known that her friend could rival Wei Ying in persistence once she set her mind to something.

"I knew it!" Lady Hou triumphantly declared, confirming her suspicion through honest amethyst orbs, "Let me see it, A-Yuan."

Feeling that feigning ignorance would only tire her more, she gave a straight-forward answer, "No."

Surprisingly, her best friend backed down easily, "Oh well. I suppose I really don't have anything like luck in this world. Not only do I have to marry for convenience to a walking hall of shame, I can't even get my friend to indulge me this one time. That's fine I suppose. Which note was I at?" she finished her convincing litany, taking back her music sheet and poring over it.

Yu ZiYuan repressed the long suffering sigh that wanted to escape her and glared at the horizon. "Fine."

The other lady readily slammed the paper back on the floor with a smile, "I knew A-Yuan is kind to me."

"You." The Lady Yu gave herself leave to pinch the other's cheek without remorse in irritation at being forced.

"Ow, ow, ow!" white hands went around her tormentor's wrist but didn't pull the hand back and endured. After she was released, she massaged the injured part, she huffed victoriously, "Since you got your payment, you'd better not think about backing out."

Yu ZiYuan wished she had pinched that smug face harder then ordered for her maids to bring her sword and their instruments. They came back 10 minutes later with Chen Luan, a xiao and a guqin. Since the three of them had been practicing together at her orders, she can vouch for their skills.

"Do you want us to move to the courtyard?" Hou MeiXiu asked, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder, preparing to stand up, "You'll need a huge space for it right?"

"No." Yu ZiYuan answered as she unsheathed her spiritual sword, the clear blade reflecting the setting sun. It's a sending for Yunmeng Jiang disciples after all, for her husband, for them; so of course, it should be done in water.

Light brown eyes became quizzical and she could only smile briefly in response as she cut her forefinger with the edge of her sword and proceeded to write certain characters at the base of the blade before extending the line of blood across the smooth surface, all the way to the tip.

She began to regulate her qi and directing a good amount on her feet as she quickly took off her shoes. She ordered for her maids to start playing, concentrating too much that she failed to hear when her friend tried to get her attention.

When the first note vibrated through the air and across the whole garden, she chanted softly to her sword and pure white flames gently flowed from the drawn blood to cover the steel. With no pause, right hand tightly around the hilt while the other held on to the scabbard, she walked to the edge of the pavilion and lightly leapt over the low barrier and into the water. The qi she's skillfully regulating in her feet prevented her from sinking and she glided on top of the lake. Not minding the small gasp behind her, she walked to the middle of the small lake, the surface of which reflected the spectacular hue of the departing sun.

Thinking of the bleeding young men in purple who littered the ground as angry flames lick their sect; the disgusting horde of enemies flocking her husband; her glorious home in shambles; she started her dance.

Not even the absence of swaying hips or flirtatious gestures could detract from the pure beauty of the ceremonial dance.

Several youthful faces passed through her mind, filled with exhaustion, fear or admiration for their mistress. Faces of the children she was unable to save that night. There are no tears in her eyes, but the load in her chest refused to ease, even nearly 2 years later.

The glide of the flaming sword and the evocative emotion placed on every rise of her hands and turn of her feet were solemn and full or respect and quiet grandeur. When she spun with her sword-hand raised above her, the sword in her grip vertically suspended, the water beneath her feet followed her path and created an upward whirlpool with her in the middle. Putting the tip of her fingers, the three that are free from the sheath in her palm, on the pointy end of her long, flaming sword, the fire on it warm instead of hot, she turned in a circle several times with her arms lifted hands overhead. The exquisite line of her wrists and arms exposed to the dying sun. At the few last notes, she carefully sheathed the still blazing weapon vertically in front of her, letting the spark die as it completes its path downwards home. She then finished it with a bow with the encased blade held up as though an offering to the sky, sending off souls that were no longer there, praying for a smooth journey to the far plane.

The surrounding was quiet as she closed her eyes at ending the dance but she was startled into opening them again when resounding clapping erupted somewhere on her right and she whipped her head to see a gathering of young men, all with adoring or stunned expressions. Some even have their mouths open in awe.

She froze from her position. That she instantly located the purple uniform among the profusion of colors didn't help in stopping the heat from creeping up her cheeks. Since when have they been standing there?

In the confusion of her emotions, the focus she had on her qi manipulation evaporated into oblivion and before she knows it, the whirlpool she created vanished and she fell into the water with a sharp yelp.

"Ahh, my lady!"

"Maiden Yu!"

Several men raced to the edge of the pond and ascertained that the young lady is alright.

Standing up and feeling the cold water reach up to her waist, the soft fabric of her dress uncomfortably sticking to her body and shaking from embarrassment, she mercilessly glared at the crowd, unaware of how the obvious mould of her body was open for all to see and the addition of the healthy blush and bright bold eyes made for a tempting view.

She wanted to scream at them all to scram out of there but held her tongue and calmly walked to the bank. Several hands promptly extended her way to help her out of the water, she narrowed her eyes in irritation but randomly grabbed one and hauled herself to shore. Turned out, the hand belonged to Lan Qiren who bowed his head silently upon meeting her gaze.

As soon as both of her feet touched the ground, heavy brocade encumbered her shoulders and she turned to find Jiang FengMian as he retracted his hands after putting his outer robe on her. She would have liked to refuse his help on principle but realizing that she looks nearly indecent, she could only relent while gritting her teeth.

"Please forgive us for intruding upon your private time, Maiden Yu. I had wished to remind you to have your master give you another check-up…"

"Really, Yuan-er, you just recovered and now you're pulling stunts like this again. Just how many of them you have to bag eh?" animatedly teased Nie Ju-Long, greatly awed by the performance and internally enjoying the show in general. He eyed the heightened complexion of the young gentlemen who rushed hither when they saw the maids of the Third Lady of Meishan Yu sect carrying her sword and instruments.

A certain gruff youth cleared his throat, "You'll catch a cold looking like that." Wen Ruohan roughly addressed and took off his robe as well and placed it on dainty shoulders.

Yu ZiYuan hatefully eyed the red and white cloth that dared touch her exposed skin. She was about to yell her refusal when yet another sect uniform, this time in black and gold, piled on top of the other.

"Were you collecting sect uniforms Yuan-er? Have mine as well." Nie Ju-Long smirked at the lady's disgruntlement. She must be really seething now, he noted, going by the fire in her purple eyes. That angry?

"A-Yuan, you'd better change first." Hou MeiXiu parted the mass of flustered young lords, amusement twirling in her brown orbs, "And put on your shoes."

The sight of delicate porcelain ankles drew eyes and electrified hearts and Lan Qiren had to loudly cough to remind others of the word 'propriety'.

Yu ZiYuan had half a mind to pull out Zidian and bury all the evidence to this entire debacle at the deepest end of the lotus pond when glittering grey eyes entered her sights.

"Lady Yu, that was a truly exquisite dance! Even more breath-taking than the one I saw in Tianyi sect!" Cangse Sanren complimented passionately, hands on her breast, Wei Changze politely standing behind her.

The lady of Meishan Yu sect felt the throbbing vein on her nape extend all the way to her jaw at the reminder. A shower of praises followed this and every man wanted to express their admiration but the object of their commendations wanted nothing more than to have the ground swallow her whole.

"…It was a magnificent dance, Maiden Yu." She heard the gentle murmur from a certain sect heir and her heart lurched in pleasure which was immediately stomped on by the annoyed woman.

Fed up and in real need of a quiet place, preferably where she can gauge her heart out to bury it for being too wayward, she numbly bowed to the crowd without acknowledging anything or anyone. They should forgive her since it is only right for her to retire with her messy appearance.

After finally managing to disentangle themselves from the assembly, Yu ZiYuan was trying to forget the flattery she received from her previous husband, ignoring how Hou MeiXiu was peering at her face.

She has rarely received any verbal approbation from the man before. But it's not like she was craving for it anyway. Of course. She knows what she's capable of. She loved the man but she respects herself and is aware of her own accomplishments. She doesn't need anyone to approve of her.

"Are you having another fever?" her companion inquired at length.

She kept her gaze straight and her bearing unwavering, "Why?"

"Well, you look the same but you're kinda flushed."

She internally sighed, damn that man.

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If any of you know of it, the 'ceremonial dance' was from the 'sending' of Final Fantasy X and you can see a video in youtube if you want to. I love that particular scene! Though, of course, I didn't picture it exactly the same for my dear Madame Yu since some of the steps wouldn't have fit her. But at least you should get the over-all feel I was going for lol

There's really nothing in this chapter, I just want to show off Madame Yu hahahaha

Thank you for the comments and favorites!